Cheap green generation is feasible, says watchdog

The UK can cost effectively slash the carbon intensity of its electricity generation by 2030, according to a new report from the climate change watchdog whose chair has called for an acceleration of the mooted sales ban on petrol cars.

The Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) latest annual progress on efforts to tackle emissions, which was published today (28 June), contains an analysis showing the carbon emission intensity of UK electricity generation can be cut to below 100 grams of CO2 per kWh (gCO2 per kWh) at a similar cost to sticking with heavier emitting alternatives.

The reduction, which compares to the 2017 level of 265 gCO2 per kWh, can be achieved via a combination of planned increases in nuclear and renewable energy combined with a roll out of new and relatively inexpensive onshore and solar power.

The CCC carried out the analysis to establish whether the target of 100 gCO2 per kWh, which it says is needed to cost effectively hit the 2050 target of an 80 per cent overall reduction in carbon emissions laid out in the 2008 Climate Change Act (CCA).

At a press briefing on the report, the CCC’s chair Lord Deben said the government should level with the public on the cost of its policy block on new onshore wind and solar power.

Referring to this week’s decision by business secretary Greg Clark to reject plans for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon plant on value for money grounds, he said: “It’s not acceptable to turn down one thing on the basis that it’s not cost effective and refuse another thing that is cost effective.”

“You have to outline the cost of the policy decisions you have made.”

Overall the report praises the thrust of the government’s Clean Growth Strategy, which was published last autumn, but says there is “still little detail” on how its ambitions will be delivered.

It expresses particular disappointment with the delayed publication of the Department for Transport’s “Road to Zero” transport strategy, which was due to be out in March.

Lord Deben said the existing government target of phasing out the sale of new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040 is “not ambitious enough” and it is “essential” to move this deadline much closer to 2030.

He said: “If you don’t the industry will leave it until the last possible moment to do what it has to do because it wants to get the most out of its present technology.”

As a result, the committee sticks to the conclusion in its report earlier this year on the CGS that the UK is off track to meet the legally binding fourth (2023-2027) and fifth (2028-2032) carbon budgets.

The report, which includes a broader stock take on progress since the 2008 passage of the CCA, says the cancellation of number of important programmes in recent years at short notice has led to “uncertainty and real cost”, namechecking the Zero Carbon Homes and the CCS Commercialisation Programme.

It says: “A consistent policy environment keeps investor risk low, reduces the cost of capital, provides clear signals to the consumer and gives businesses the confidence to build UK-based supply chains.”

And it says that by next year’s statutory progress report in July 2019, the committee expects the government to have begun introducing credible new policies in the areas such as road transport and energy efficiency.